Proverbs 10:22

"The blessings of the Lord bring wealth,

and he adds no trouble to it."

Wow what a concept. Over the past couple of weeks I've been reading Proverbs and trying to memorize them. The memorizing isn't going so well, but I'm learning some amazing truths through this. 1) "wealth" is something so much greater than money. 2) I should strive daily to not be a "fool".

But let's go back to Proverbs 10:22. The blessings of the Lord ARE wealth. In my first pass at this I thought, "of course he doesn't add trouble to it." But then I began to think about it. The amazing thing is that he gives with no strings attached. He blesses me daily no matter what. I woke up this morning in an air-conditioned house with a loving family and a beautiful day. That is only the miniscule beginning of the blessings/wealth from God. Sure he would like a response of gratitude, but guess what, he is going to bless me weather I deserve it or not.

There are people around me who woke up in the same blessings I did, but they don't realize these are blessings from the Lord. They don't have gratitude for these things, so they don't get the benefit of appreciation for God's wealth. I love that I can wake each morning and thank God for his rich blessings in my life and know that he has given these things to me. A two year old is not going to be grateful for a gift because they don't get the concept. But a four year old has gained an understanding of what it means to receive a gift and they appreciate it so much more.

Praise God from whom ALL blessing flow. I have nothing that didn't come from You, oh Lord. Thank you for the understanding of Your Word.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

We took a trip this week. We returned to the place we met and married, where we both went to college and worked. It's been 5 years since we have been to Lubbock. I expected the drive back to reawaken some memories. I thought I would have this, "oh yeah, I remember that" feeling. Instead it was more of a, "Did I ever really leave?" feeling. The thing I realized was that the older I get 5 years seems like less time. When I was 20, five years what a fourth of my life. I'm in my thirties and I'm still not so old, but five years means less.

Things had certainly changed in Lubbock. Most of our favorite places to eat, though, were exactly the same. It was strange going into a restaurant we haven't been to in 5 years and the person behind the counter knew us and greeted us as if we were returning friends. Not only in one place, but in several.

We attended my cousin's wedding. We saw family I hadn't seen since I was a girl. I remember as a kid being with my parents as they were reacquainted with family and introducing us. They would tell us how they had played together as kids. Now I am the parent doing just that with my child. It amazes me how life flows the same from generation to generation even though things change so much.

We continued our "adventure" up to Hartley and the farm that was my childhood home. I was raised in the same house where my father was raised and his father before him. Generations of people who have battled the sand and the wind of the West Texas prairie. As we were on the last part of the drive through the country I thought about Scarlet and her deep need to return to Tara. I must say I am glad I don't live there, but there will always be something inside of me connected to the land. I sometimes ache that my son doesn't have the same kind of connection to the land that I have because of where I came from.

While we were in Hartley we went to see some of my dearest and oldest friends. It was such a joy. As Drew put it, it was nice to be with people with whom you don't have to watch what you say. We laughed and laughed together. To see my friends so happy makes my heart rejoice.

Our trip was just right and it was great to get home. I'm grateful for the home we have here in Flower Mound and I am grateful for the people and places of my past. I thank God for the time we had with friends and family and I hope our time until we do it again is shorter.

A Picturesque Morning

The house is clean (well, mostly clean). My son is playing near by and singing as he plays. The sliding door that leads to the oasis in our back yard stands open so I can hear the falling water. The air is warm and moist and smells of possible rain.

I am at peace and God is so good. Even when I am not at peace, God is still good.

I reflect this morning on that statement. God is good ALL THE TIME. It's not that I have to find something good in every situation. It is not that he is good only when I am happy. He is good eternally.

A New Spring

Without a doubt spring is my favorite season. All winter I look forward to the end of March when you can sit out side in the evening,enjoy the warmth that is renewing and hear the critters come back to life after winter's, all to long, slumber. Watching the trees bud and the plants pop out of the ground puts a "spring" in my step.

This year, however, I have a new appreciation for spring. The excitement of sharing this season with a three year old boy is so amazing. Last weekend he found the perfect tree in the yard to climb. He would get more and more brave with each climb. He told people all week about his "honey tree" he can climb "all by my self!"

Bugs are rather exciting. All we have seen so far are just the little itty bitty bugs, but we watched a show about insects and now every bug is interesting. I really can't wait until the caterpillars and June bugs and lady bugs and cicadas and spiders and katydids and praying mantises all begin to emerge.

We have a bug jar ready and waiting for this cold to end and spring to continue on it's path to the promise of warmer, bug filled, days.

Journal Entry from March 8

It is rare for me to fall asleep fast or before anyone else in my house. Last night was no exception. Usually I lie in bed and listen to Drew and/or the little man breath that deep breathing that accompanies the comfort of sleep and I wish to be with them in the land of nod. I feel a twinge of jealousy. Last night, however, a peace rolled over me, knowing my family was safe, healthy and comfortable. I could lie there knowing God had blessed us all with health and their deep breathing was a steady blanket of reassurance.

As I lay there I began to think through the day and the week that had passed. I thought about the book I finished the day before and what it meant to have a story (Donald Miller A Million Miles in a Thousand Years). I thought about the title and still didn't know why he chose that title, but I "got" the book. I got it in the way I want to apply it to my life and I want Drew to read it and get it so we can talk about out story and what it should be.

In those moments of peace and thought, God began to speak to me. He began to show me the story we started over 3 years ago when we bought this house. We toiled and bled through the months and the birth of our son so we could start a place for God to bring people. Over those 3+ years I lost the passion for KNOWING God had a purpose for all we have suffered through. He began to stir in me the excitement for creating a sanctuary for our family and our friends and for people who need this place to find a renewal and a safe escape into the peace of God.

Our home is far from finished. We will always be working on this place, but the same goes for us and the work God is doing in us. God is calling on us to continue our story and open our home. He will continue to bless us with things like free dirt and rocks, cheap filters and pumps, wardrobes and dressers, and people to do work. Our part is to be open and create a place where people feel God's peace flow.

I shall rise each morning and pray for peace in our house and pray for God to bless our finances and our home. He will supply what we need and be our guide.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings of a home and the warmth of family. Please bless this home and all who enter it. Praise you, Lord, for your steadfast spirit even when I get anxious and impatient.

Returning to the Blogosphere

Four years, a son and a new life later and here I am. I've resurrected my blog because some of my thoughts I've written in my prayer journal are worth passing along. Also, who can keep the antics of a charismatic three year old all to themselves?

How about a fun story to celebrate my return to the blogosphere?

Super Heros have been a continual theme around here ever since the little man saw this batcave he "had to have" for his birthday. So, we had a Batman birthday at the end of November. Batman continued to be the leading hero until after the first of the year when a friend handed down a Spiderman scooter. So, naturally, the progression to Spiderman happened. Well, pretty soon that was not enough for the little man. He decided to start making up his own super heros. The first was Catchman. He catches bad guys with his finger guns. Next came Frogman. The thing about Frogman is that he has a "logo" which is a sponge in the tub that is shaped like a frog. Well, once the olympics started we had Skiman. He skis on water and snow. For a brief moment we had Shooterman and soon there after he decided a Farmer was a great super hero. Today it is Fanman. I am not sure at this point what Fanman can do, but I will certainly let you know when I do.

Oh, an attached side note- The little man found his own nipples and decided those are his "super hero buttons." I'll just leave it at that.

~till next time~